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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-28 Historical Commission MinutesM OrkF4 RECEWED Town of Reading Meeting TOWN CLERK i Minutes READING, MA. 2021 SEP 20 PM 3:50 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission Date: 2021-07-28 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Virginia Adams, Associate (VA) Samantha Couture, Chair (SC) Pino D'Orazlo, Member (PD) Amelia Devin Freedman, Secretary (ADF) Christine Keller, Associate (CK) Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Treasurer (SRS) Members - Not Present: Jonathan Barnes Others Present: Dennis Carr Larry Meuse Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amelia Devin Freedman Topics of Discussion: SC called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. She made VA a voting member for the evening. Welcome to New Associate Christine Kellet: All RHC members introduced themselves to CK and vice versa. SC welcomed CK to the Commission. 25 Haven Street, Demolition Delay Heating Continued: SC said that she had spoken to the applicants. They have now met with the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) and will soon have new architectural drawings to show the Commission. Since they have no new information for the RHC yet, however, they will not be in attendance tonight. Because the bylaw requires the Commission to conclude its review of a demolition application within 30 days of the receipt of the application, SC explained, there most be a vote tonight. SC suggested that the Commission vote to impose the delay and immediately reengage with the applicants in order to ensure there is a written agreement before the 6 -month demolition delay lapses. SC opened the public hearing. Motion: that the presented information is sufficient to make a final determination on the requested demolition of the structure at 25 Haven Street, and that the Public Hearing be closed. Gage 1 1 SC motion, PD second; vote 4-1-0 (no: VA) Modart that the loss of the structure at 25 Haven Street would be detrimental to the Town under the purposes of this bylaw (7.2.1) and that a Demolition Delay of up to six (6) months be imposed beginning this date. SC motion, SRS second; vote 4-0-1 (abstain: VA) SC dosed the public hearing. She will communicate the Commission's decision with the owners and encourage them to work with the Commission to formulate a written agreement for an early release of the demolition delay. 24 Gould Street: SC spoke to the owner, Dave Traggorth, who suggested that the RHC tour the exhibit space before working on the text for the historical plaque. SC will follow up with him to schedule the group visit. Fallen Granite Block at Lob's Pound Mill: SC received a letter from Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, which stated that the town of North Reading is responsible for any necessary repair. SC will follow up. 186 Summer Avenue: SC summarized her recent the phone call with Town Counsel, Ivry Glass Fried, various members of Town staff, and ADF, in her role as Vice Chair of the HDC (Historic District Commission). In sum, Ms. Fried said that the RHC and the HDC may be able to make a legal case that Criterion's failure to maintain the property violates the Preservation Restriction Agreement. She also said that the PRA does not legally require the Criterion team to build what they said they would, but that it does legally require them to maintain the property. SC reported that the staff at Town Hall supports the HDC and the RHC taking legal action. ADF added that, should legal action be needed, the Town Manager has the authority to release the necessary funds. ADF said that Ms. Fried asked the two Commissions for the following materials: all documents and correspondence relating to the property; a "wish list" of repairs; a new set of pictures documenting the current state of the property. VA said that she has already submitted to several boxes of materials and a master list thereof to Julie Mercier, the Town Development Director. ADF reported that Everett Blodgett from the HDC will take the new pictures. SC will make the Est of needed repairs. ADF said she would ask JEB for the letter Criterion's attorney sent last fall, detailing the dates on which repairs were made to the property. ADF asked Dennis Carr, an abutter of the property (and present at the meeting tonight), to ask his neighbors if any of them has relevant documents. He agreed; ADF will follow up. VA said she would start to develop a marketing strategy, in case Criterion backs out of the project and a new buyer for the property needs to be found. PD, in his role as Chair of the HDC, has tried to contact DR. L uleton's office to schedule a meeting with the HDC and RHC; he has left multiple messages but has received no response. He will follow up. Utility Box Project. VA suggested that the Commission promote the Utility Box Project at its table at the upcoming Fall Street Faire. In addition to copies of the article from The Readr'ngs, she suggested displaying the photographs included in the article. SC will contact the photographer, Tim Gran, to ask for copies. ADF suggested also displaying a copy of the Inventory and information about the three properties added in May. SC will follow up. Town Archive: SC reported that CK has agreed to help reorganize the Archive Page 1 2 SC has arranged with Paul Scheer for him to see the Mary Temple Scrapbook. She suggested that she would meet with him, and future researchers, at the Reading Public Library's (RPL) History Room instead of the Town Archives. She will dear that plan with Eileen Barrett, the RPL's local history librarian. SC said that the Commission has received a collection of ten historical postcards from Ursula Vamyzin as a donation for the Archives. VA identified than as Edward Palma's "Then and Now' collection from the Town's 350'" Anniversary celebration. Motioa. to accept the "Then and Now" postcard collection as an addition to the Archives. SC motion, VA second; vote: 5-0-0. To make it easier to get into the Archives, SC will ask if all RHC members can have keys. Historic House Markets: SC reported that the markets are in production. She said that the company seemed to think that she would pick up the completed markers. VA suggested she ask JEB if he picked up the last set, or if they were shipped to him. SC will follow up. Demolition Delay Bylaw: Because of the demolition delay bylaw's inflexibility with regard to time (as revealed in the last month and tonight's discussions about 25 Haven Street), VA suggested the bylaw may need to be changed. Finances: VA said that the RHC needs to reimburse Parker Tavern for its half of the Fall Street Faire table fee. Motioa to reimburse Parker Tavern $50 for the Fall Street Faire table fee. SRS Motion, SC second; vote 5-0-0. New Business: 40 Grove Street: SC asked the members if they thought that the demolition application recently submitted by Michael Samullo of Sacco Builders is complete. PD said no. He noted that there is no description of the planned reuse. SC said she would ask Mr. Santullo what building materials he plans to use. ADF said she would like to know where on the lot the new house will be located. SC will contact the Mr. Santullo to ask about these issues, as well as the following. his projected timetable; whether he has spoken to the CPCD; whether he has spoken to the Building Commissioner; whether he has already applied for the demolition permit. SC said that members should review the application and let her know if anything else is missing. 129 High Street: SC received an email from Jim DiNardo, the owner of 129 High Street He is seeking the Conunission's advice, because his neighbor's recent renovation has diverted water into Mr. DiNardo's carriage house; the house and carriage house are on the Historical Inventory and the National Historic Register. SC suggested he contact Bret Bennett, the Building Commissioner, and offered to write a letter to Mr. Bennet in support. Reading Post article about Lafayette: VA recommended that members read the recent Rending Pott article by Peter Maguire about the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to Reading in 1825. Motion to accept "General Lafayette, The Nation's Guest, Comes to Boston and Stops for Lunch in Reading" as an addition to the Archives. SC motion, SRS second; vote: 5-0-0. 17 Longview Road: VA said that she'd read an article in the Daily Timer Cbmnicle about the property at 17 Longview Road which is currently on the market. According to the article, the owners and Pape 1 3 their attomey, Josh Latham, attended a recent CPDC meeting. The owners want to separate a large tract of land from the house to protect it from future development; the plan is for this tract to be kept in the family after the sale of the house. VA observed that a PRA might be order under the circumstances and asked if the RHC should get involved. PD said he thought Mr. Latham seems to have the situation under control and that the RHC need not contact him. Lvnnfield Historical Commission Invitation: SC reported that she's been contacted by the chair of the Lynnfield Historical Commission, Shelley Lynch. Ms. Lynch is holding a meeting of local Historical Commissions in October, to discuss common problems. SC asked if the RHC should send a representative or representatives. VA said that the RHC has attended such meetings in the past, and that they were useful. SRS will follow up with Ms. Lynch. 932 Main Street: ADF reported that she has been researching the original owner of 832 Main Street, Charles Parker, but has been unable to identify him; none of three Charles Parkers referenced in Town records for the 1820s seems to be the correct person. She asked if anyone had any suggestions of where to look next. VA suggested contacting Everett Blodgett, who has done extensive genealogical work on the Parker Family. SRS suggested doing the following: using the records about the house from the Town Assessor; expanding the search to Parker family members whose middle name (rather than fust name) was Charles; looking for probate records for the father of each Charles Parker. CATO. the Coalition of Us: ADF said she has not heard back from CATO's research team, Karn Gleason and Megan Howie, about the RHC's offer to help with their research. She will follow up. Past Minutes: Modon. To accept the minutes of July 7, 2021, as amended. VA motion, PD second; vote 5-0-0. Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 1 at 7 P.M. Adjournment: Morloa to adjourn PD motion, SC second; vote 5-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:24 P.M Page 1 4